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| The Bug, 2004 |
In her mind she is a river otter
All grace and fur and deep brown eyes
She dips her toe into that chattering stream
Pulls it back with a diffident sigh
It’s cold and menacing and three miles high
Over her head and out of her league
clichés crowd the room in groups of three
Retracing her steps to the flower filled wall
She lowers her eyes and watches her feet
They’re cold and trembling and three miles deep
Two cleansing breaths lift her feet from the mire
Watching the current she gauges her stride
And wades right in with a resolute smile
She lets the otter be her ebullient guide
And cuts a swath through the room three miles wide
Go here to check out other poems about swimming.
I love every line of this one, Dana! Have ventured in those same waters often myself. Thank you for illustrating this feeling so vividly.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great job you did!! I love the picture your face says it all.
ReplyDeleteI want to be an otter too!!
I really, really like this poem!
ReplyDeleteUtterly charmed.
ReplyDeleteYou make a very cute otter. Very.
ReplyDeleteGood one. I loved it!
ReplyDeleteDana, your poem is a thing of beauty.
ReplyDeleteThis appeals on so many levels! I love otters!
ReplyDeleteDear The Bug,
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I love this poem. That deep breath before leaving the wallflower wall!
Beautiful.
Ann T.
How we are in our hopeful minds and how we appear in truth are so difficult to reconcile;-)
ReplyDeleteThe rhythm is lovely, almost like a relaxing swim. Very nice
ReplyDeleteI love the otter connection. Otters are among my favorites, when it comes to animals. They seem to have such fun in life.
ReplyDeleteLook at you, rhyming away like a pro! A wonderful poem and statement about overcoming shyness to accomplish something we fear doing. Thumbs up!
ReplyDeleteI could stand for hours watching the otters in the St. Louis Zoo ... the display is immense and the little critters fascinating. Nice Jammy poem!
ReplyDeletevery nice bug, really well constructed and i love the message as well, thanks for being an inspiration and for driving this week...finally got my jam up this AM
ReplyDeleteI love the symmetry and rhythm of this. Delightful construction. One of your best.
ReplyDeleteYes, the symmetry of this is great, with the last line hitting just the right note. And such a great take on swimming. I have usually drowned in social settings.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love it!! Love otters ~ love water ~ love anything in threes.
ReplyDeleteI played this week for the first time. Hope you'll stop by: Free Fall.
Otters are the best. Love your swath three miles wide!
ReplyDeleteMe too I was shy, still am, and nobody would ever guess.
A lovely piece. I really loved the photo, exquisite.
ReplyDelete